MEADE 


MR. 

A Play 


FAUST 


PS 3511 
.115 M5 
1922 
Copy 1 


By Arthur Davison Ficke 


SPECIAL THEATRE EDITION : Sold 
only in the PROVINCETOWN THEATRE. 
Regular Edition on sale at al}. bookshops. 


FRANK SHAY Publisher NEW YORK 



MR. FAUST 


OTHER BOOKS 

By Arthur Davison Ficke 

SONNETS OF A PORTRAIT PAINTER 

AN APRIL ELEGY 

THE MAN ON THE HILLTOP 

THE HAPPY PRINCESS 

FROM THE ISLES 

THE BREAKING OF BONDS 

CHATS ON JAPANESE PRINTS 

TWELVE JAPANESE PAINTERS 


MR. FAUST 

By 

ARTHUR DAVISON FICKE 


An Entirely New Version , 
Reconstructed for Stage Production 


New York 


FRANK SHAY 
1922 


Copyright, 1922 , by Arthur Davison Ficke 
(All Rights Reserved) 



No performance of this play, either amateur or 
professional, may be given except by special 
arrangement with the author. 


NOTE: 


T HE original version of Mr. Faust was written 
by me in 1912 and published by Mitchell 
Kennerly in 1913. At that time Maurice Browne 
insisted that the work, though I had conceived it 
as a poem, could be acted as a play; and the 
result of nine years of his insistence was that in 
1921 I entirely remodeled the text, for production 
by the Repertory Company of Maurice Browne and 
Ellen Van Volkenburg. In this remodeling, the 
suggestions of Maurice Browne, Ellen Van Vol- 
kenburg and Moroni Olsen were of an importance 
than can hardly be exaggerated. The result, which 
appears in this volume, entirely supplants the 
earlier edition; and I hope this is the only form 
in which the play will ever again be read by 
anyone. 


New York, 1922. 


A. D. F. 


Produced at the Provincetown Players Theatre 
New York 


January 30, 1922, 


with the following cast: 


Mr. Faust 

Oldham 

Brander 

Satan 

The Holy One. 

Midge 

The Butler 

The Doctor.— 


Maurice Browne 

Robert Bell 

Byron Foulger 

Moroni Olsen 

. Henry O'Neill 

Janet Young 

Jack Gude 

Harold McGee 


Produced by Ellen Van Volkenburg 

The first production of the play was at the Cornish 
Theatre, Seattle, on September 22, 1921, with the same 
cast and direction as above, except that the part of the 
Butler was takenby Roy Middleton, the part of the Doctor 
by Norman Goldstone, and the part of the Holy One by 
Evan E. Goldsmith. 


MR. FAUST 


ACT I. 

The scene is the library of John Faust, a large hand- 
some room in a New York house, panelled with rows 
of books in open book-shelves. On the right is a carved 
stone fireplace, with deep chairs before it. The furni- 
ture looks as if it were, and probably is, plunder from 
the palace of some prince of the Renaissance. 

A fire is burning in the fireplace; it, and several 
shaded lights, make a subdued brilliancy in the room. 
Before the fire sit Faust, Brander, and Oldham, all in 
evening dress. All three are smoking, and tall highball 
glasses stand within their reach. 

Oldham is staring fixedly at the fire, in the attitude 
of one who has withdrawn his soul from all contact with 
a rasping world. Brander is fidgeting on the edge of 
his chair , as if about to speak or about to rise, but too 
uncertain to do either. Faust, with interested detach- 
ment, watches them both, and smokes. 

The curtain rises on a long silence. 

. . . Oldham sinks deeper into his reverie; Brander 
trembles more and more on the brink of an explosion; 
Faust continues to watch, interested, serious, but aloof. 

Suddenly Brander looks at his glass — and with a 
violent gesture drinks down its contents at a swallow. 
He pauses, rigid. Then he springs to his feet, crosses 
the room, and bangs the glass down on the table. Wheel- 
ing, he confronts the others. Faust has followed him 
with his eyes, but now quickly avert $ his glance; and 
Brander pauses, on the edge of speech, but finding no 
one to speak to. He looks a moment at the two aloof 
figures, then laughs loudly and raspingly. 


8 


Mr. Faust 


Oldham jumps to his feet , startled. 

OLDHAM. What is it, Brander? 

[Brander strides to the window , pulls aside the cur- 
tains, stares out into the night, and then turns back 
to face Oldham and Faust.] 
brander. You’re crazy! . . . Look at that! 

[Oldham crosses quickly to the window.] 
oldham. Look? Look at what? 

[Brander laughs harshly.] 
brander. Everything that’s out there! 

While here you . . . [He goes back and seats himself 
again.] 

[Oldham looks angrily at Brander, closes the curtains 
and resumes his seat by the fire.] 

BRANDER. I beg your pardon, Faust, — did you care 
to look? 

FAUST. Thanks, not tonight. 
brander. Oh, perhaps you have seen 

Everything; have you? 

oldham. No; but Brander, one doesn’t 

Have to examine all the matches that come 
Packed in a box to know how matches strike, — 
Flame, — and go out. . . . 
brander. I won’t be made a fool of 

By you or anybody! 

OLDHAM. Made a fool of! 

Why, Brander, who would try to gild the lily? 
Certainly neither Faust nor I. . . . 
brander. You are clever — 

But there you end. You make these nasty remarks 
Because you guess . . . 

oldham. More than a guess this time! 

brander. — Because you guess that I have fallen in love 
With someone or other. Well, if I had, why try 
To make me as sick of life as you two are? 


Mr. Faust 


9 


Oldham. Because I know all about this girl of yours — 
And because it is such an unwise thing to do — 

Leading nowhere, making you restless, cross, 

Jumpy — like this! 

brander. Quite idiotic, eh? 

oldham. Fairly so. 

brander. — And this comes well from you — 

Wise and wonderful man! — you, an architect 
Who won’t build buildings — who chases all over the 
earth 

To buy this picture or that, — which, five hundred years 
Before you were born, was painted by such a man 
Or such a man! Tell me, — what does it matter 
Where those old pictures are, — in your rooms, or in 
Some smelly dealer’s in Paris? 
oldham. It doesn’t matter. 

I thought it did, once .... 

Now I know I am crazy; 

That is the difference between us. 
brander. Yes! and because 

Your great design for the City Hall got chewed 
To pieces among the wheels of politics, 

You turn your back on life, — afraid! . . . 

[Faust, with a gesture , has attempted to stop Brander 
in the middle of this speech.] 
oldham. Brander! .... 

You think so? ... . 

Well, I do not doubt you are right. 
brander. I tell you exactly what I think, Oldham. 

You needn’t brag of your wisdom. 

FAUST. Are we getting 

Just a little personal? .... 
oldham. Oh, perhaps — but does it 

Matter especially? ... I suppose it’s well 
To see oneself as one is . . . 

Tell me, Faust, 

When, if at all, will this young thing grow up? 


10 


Mr. Faust 


FAUST. I wouldn’t be too hard on things that are young! 
Youth is the only evil that time will cure. 

\Brander turns upon Faust.] 

brander. You are a thorn to me, a thorn in the flesh. 
Contagiously you bring to me mistrust 
Of all my landmarks, when, as here tonight, 

Out of the midst of every pleasant gift 
The world can offer you, you sit and smile 
In scoffing irony, mocking each face, 

Form, action, motive, that together make 
Your life, and ours. 

FAUST. Dear Brander! Is it true 

I am as bad as that? Well, though I were, 

Why should it trouble you? If you find sport 
In this strange game, this fevered interplay, 

This hodge-podge crazy-quilt which we are pleased 
To call our life — why, like it! And say: Damned 
Be all who are not with me! 
brander. Are not you? 

FAUST. I claim the criminal’s privilege, and decline 
To answer. 

Oldham. Faust, might I presume so far 

As to suggest that I should like a drink 
Before we all start breaking furniture 
Over this matter? 

FAUST. Certainly; I beg 

Your pardon; I neglected you. 

[ Faust rises and rings a bell: the butler enters. With 
a gesture , Faust indicates the decanters on the table , 
and the butler quietly serves the three men with 
drinks while the conversation continues .] 

No, no, 

We won’t wage combat over this. You’re right, 
Doubtless, as usual, Brander. I have not 
Your fortunate placidity of mind, 

And I get grumpy .... 

Come, take your glass; 


Mr. Faust 


11 


And let us drink to the glories of the world. 

Down with the cynic! 

BRANDER. Down with him! The world 

Is pretty glorious when a man is young 
As we are. Men are doing mighty things 
Today. A critic tells me that last night 
Wullf at the opera sang “La ci darem” 

With an artistic brilliancy of tone 
That never has been heard on any stage 
Anywhere in the world. And I believe it. 
oldham. Whom did you go with. 

BRANDER. Midge. 

oldham. Ah, Midge again! 

I thought so . . . 

brander. Well, I don’t know why I shouldn’t. 

oldham. Those rosy-toned remarks gave you away. 

Where did you sit? Or am I venturing? .... 
brander. Up in the gallery. 
oldham. The top one? 

BRANDER. Yes. 

oldham. Once more, I thought so. You and Midge 
would look 

Nice in a box! Yes, I will pay for one 
If you will take it. 

brander. Oh, leave me alone! 

FAUST. Tell me — this “Midge” you speak of? ... . 
oldham. Midge, dear Faust, 

Is short for Margaret; which, you may guess, 
Describes a lady of the female sex; 

Said person being serviceably employed 
As maid-of-all-work for some ancient dame 
In Brander’s own apartment house. She has, 

Beside what other virtues I know not, 

A most bewitching ankle and a taste 

For opera. And dear Brander’s kindly heart 

Is so moved by the sight of these combined, 

He sometimes sneaks, by lonely alley-ways, 

With his fair Midge, and in the gallery 


12 


Mr. Faust 


High out of sight of all of us enjoys 
Her and the opera. 

FAUST. And so, Brander, 

You really are in love! 
brander. It’s hardly that! 

But she’s a mighty jolly little thing. 

FAUST. What sort of girl is she? 
brander. A mighty nice one! 

Full of all kinds of happiness; but shy. 

I’d like to see some rounder try to speak 
To her on Broadway. She looks like a lady! 

FAUST. That is too bad. 

brander. Oh, pshaw! Don’t lecture me; 

I’m not a saint; in fact, few of us are. 

FAUST. Unfortunately not. I least of all. 

And yet I wonder if . . . Oh, what’s the use 
Of preaching when it’s only jealousy 
That makes me talk! Midge sounds delectable 
To me; and if I weren’t a bit too bored 
I’d try to steal her from you . . . Just what happens 
To girls like that eventually? . . . Midge has deeps 
Not pleasant under her if you let go ! .... 
brander. Oh, I will not let go . . .Not yet, at least. 
[Goes to the window. \ 

See, what a night it is! The stars are out 
As if a bucketful of them had spilled 
Across the sky. And here we sit like owls, 

Blinking and staring at a little fire 

When heaven is burning! I’m afraid it’s time 

For me to leave this owlish parliament! .... 

Just look at this — It’s after twelve o’clock! 

I might have guessed it from the fatal fact 
That we’d begun to talk philosophy. 

Good night to both of you. And don’t stay up 
Talking till morning. 

OLDHAM. Well, good night. 


Mr. Faust 


13 


faust. Good night, 

Brander, I’m sorry you must go: come in 
Quite soon again, and I will try to be 
Less disagreeable than I was tonight. 

[ Brander goes out.] 

oldham. He’s a good fellow; but he tires me 
Sometimes. 

faust. Dear boy, I envy him! There he goes 

Babbling of Midge, a charming little sphinx 
Who rolls her stockings, winks a knee at him, 

And gives him happiness, as they say in the books, — 
Meaning, hops into bed. Where are your and my 
Midges now gone? What shall we find to take 
Their smiling places? Midge — across the night 
I throw a kiss to you! — And, my sour friend, 

I envy Brander from my soul! 

oldham. You’re wrong! 

This is not half so ludicrous as you think; 

She is an exquisite child. 

faust. And so I said! 

And so I envy him, as I said. 

oldham. Of course, 

And so do I; but I would not exchange 
Heads for a kingdom. 

faust. Are you so fond, then, 

Of what’s in yours? 

oldham. No, but at least I have 

A certain faint preception of the gilded 
And quite preposterous crudeness of our days — 

And that is something to be thankful for. 

faust. Gratitude is a graceful gift. 

oldham. Come, come! 

What snake has bitten you, that to your lips 

A poisoned irony so bitter springs 
Tonight? 


14 


Mr. Faust 


faust. I am revolving in my brain 

This serious question: whether it is not best 
That one turn humorist. The mind that seeks 
Holiness, finds it seldom; who pursues 
Beauty perhaps shall in a lengthened life 
Find it perfected only once or twice. 

But if one’s quest were humor .... 

OLDHAM. There is no humor 

In what you see and I see when we look 
On this crude world wherein our lives are spent — 
This crass grim modern spectacle of lives 
Torn with consuming lust of one desire — 

Gold, gold, forever gold! — Or do you find 
Humor in that? 

FAUST. It might be found, perhaps: 

The joke’s on someone! 
oldham. There’s no joke in it! 

It is the waste, the pitiful waste of life. 

[He turns angrily] . . . .The stars go out 
In factory smoke; the spirit wanes and pales 
In poisoned air. It is an infamous age 
Of traders and of tricksters; all the high 
And hounded malefactors of great wealth 
Differ from the masses, in their wealth, indeed; 
But in their malefaction, not ait all. 

Your grocer and my butcher have at heart 
The self-same aims as he to whom we pay 
Tribute for every pound of coal we burn. 

Their scope is narrower, but their act the same 
As his — against whose millions all the tongues 
Of little tricksters in each corner store 
Babble and rail and shriek! 

TAUST. Almost you do 

Persuade me to turn humorist. 
oldham. You may laugh; 

But there’s in all your laughter hardly more 
Mirth than in my upbraidings. Ah, I grow 


Mr. Faust 


15 


So weary of this low-horizoned scene, 

Our generation; I am always drawn 
In thought toward that great noon of human life 
When in the streets of Florence walked the powers 
And princes of the earth — Politian, Pico, 

Angelo, Leonardo, Botticelli — 

And a half-hundred more of starry-eyed 
Sons of the morning! Those were days indeed; 
We shall not look upon their like again. 

FAUST. I am not sure. 

OLDHAM. Then take my word for it! 

FAUST. I am not sure; the lamentable fact 
To me seems otherwise. For I believe 
That this vile age of commerce and corruption 
Which you describe in very eloquent terms, 

Is still, upon the whole, the best that yet 
Has graced our earth. And I am glad to be 
A citizen of this material age. 

Oldham. Congratulations! — Tempered with surprise 
At finding you so sweet an optimist — 

Whose faith can find all’s for the best; and the best 
This great year .... 

FAUST. I quarrel not with ages — but with man; 

Whose life such folly seems, that laughter lies 
The sole escape from madness .... 

Mountains of human effort piled aloft 
Like the Egyptian Pyramids, and toward 
No end save folly! .... 

OLDHAM. Ah, you forget what Beauty was to them! 
Beauty hung over them, a star to draw 
Men’s aspiration. That divides them quite 
From our debased modernity. 

FAUST. Wonderful Oldham! 

My dear delightful visionary Oldham! 

What an adorer of the past you are. 

oldham. Yes, I adore it sacredly, and loathe 
Today’s whole content — except you! I loathe it 
So much that, if I had the dynamite, 


16 


Mr. Faust 


I’d blow it all — and you and me ourselves — 

Into a nebula of dust . . . Ah, well, 

We hardly can decide these things tonight, 

Can we? And I must go now. 
faust. Oh, not yet! 

oldham. I must; this is not good for me: I fear 
To let myself dwell on these restless thoughts .... 
[He laughs suddenly ] . . . And besides, I’m due 
To pick my brother up. I have, you see, 

The limousine tonight, and that entails 
It’s obligations. Dear modernity! 

Whose Saviour is the limousine! . . . Good night! 
faust. Good night. May all the Furies and the Gorgons 
Of Greece and Florence leave you in repose 
To dream tonight of white-limbed goddesses 
And painters like archangels! 
oldham. I deserve it! 

And yet I fear they will not be so kind .... 

Sleep is no friend to me these many nights. 

I do not know why night has suddenly 
Become a desert, — ghostly, — horrible .... 

One of these days, the thing will go too far .... 
[Oldham goes out. Faust turns out all hut one of the 
lights; then seats himself wearily before the fire. 
The room is dark around his lighted figure .] 

FAUST. The play drags, and the players would begone, 
Out of this theatre of tinsel days 
And lights and tawdry glamour, out to face 
Even the blank of night, the icy stars, 

The vast abysses. What the gallery-gods 
Could give, they well have given; but deities 
Inscrutabler than they annul all gifts 
With one gift more — the restless mind that peers 
Past fame, friends, learning, fortune, to enquire: 
Whither? Whither? Whither? 

Today’s thin coin 

Pays not my labors; and tomorrow’s hope 


Mr. Faust 


17 


Has never been authenticated to me 
By a fulfilling hour when I might say: 

“Lo, this is what I hoped!” The vision flies 
As I advance .... 

And I loathe life because my hope is fairer, 

And know my hope a lie. Thus, Faust, my friend, 
You damn yourself ingeniously to hells 
Of rich variety .... 

[He takes up a black note-book from the table , and 
idly turns the pages.] 

Why do I record 

In these much-scribbled pages my sick soul? 

What can it profit me through written words 
To grope toward light — and grope toward light in 
vain? .... 

I have been athirst of dreams! 0 curious heart! 

0 credulous and visionary heart! 

Desirous of the infinite — from defeat 
Arising still to grope again for light 

And the high word of vision! And in vain! 

The night is empty, even of ghosts . . . 

1 am alone in a dark where no one comes .... 

Faust, you fool, you fool! The devil take you! 

[ Faust puts out the last light. In the darkness at the 
back of the room appears the face of a man. His 
head is very peculiarly modelled; it reminds one , 
indescribably and faintly, of the fact that men sprang 
from beasts. The high position of the ears helps this 
impression, as does also the astonishing animal bril- 
liance of the eyes. The face disappears. Faust, 
passing his hand over his forehead, turns away.] 

FAUST. This is what comes of smoking far too much. 

satan. [Unseen.] Good evening, Mr. Faust. 

Faust. Well, I’ll be damned! .... 

And who are you? .... 


18 


Mr. Faust 


SATAN. [ Face appears.'] I ask your pardon 

For thus appearing in a way unknown 
To strict convention. But I never set 
Great store by custom; and though nowadays 
I follow the proprieties, still I feel 
That one need not be slavish .... 

FAUST. Who are you? 

What are you talking of? How did you get here? 
SATAN. I am, sir, Nicholas Satan. 

FAUST. Quite a name. 

Some relative of the illustrious one? 
satan. Himself. 

FAUST. Stop this cheap foolishness! Who are you? 

Or shall I ring for the police? 

[He turns on the lights. Satan is seen in evening 
clothes , with a sociable, rather commonplace face. 
His hands are horribly rigid, as if made of metal.] 
SATAN. I am 

Satan. If I appeared with colored fire 

And lightnings round me, you would doubt no more. 

But like your narrow and near-sighted age, 

You know me not in my own natural shape. 

Now let this end! Here is my proof. You once 
Summoned me to your aid, and, when I came, 

Weakly rejected me. You were a boy 
In college, and a woman blackmailed you — 

A low, crude matter. I had settled it 
Swiftly, if you had let me. We alone, 

We three, on Harvard Bridge — night — and beneath 
A practicable river: ah, it was 
A child’s task! But you faltered . . . You recall, 
Possibly. 

FAUST. I recall .... So you are he. 

I did not know you. 
satan. Let’s forget the past. 

JWe meet now under happier auspices. 

FAUST. Incredible. 


Mr. Faust 


19 


Satan. No, quite an honest fact 

Am I. 

FAUST. I hardly can persuade myself 

Whether to laugh or pull a solemn face 
At seeing you. It is preposterous! 

I thought that you were dead — a myth — a wraith. 

Satan. Dead? That is rich! 

FAUST. Well . . . don’t you think yourself 

A slight anachronism? 

Satan. My young friend, 

I am no laughing matter. With the times 
I, too, have changed, and am as up-to-date 
As sin and sex are. 

FAUST. But your horns and tail 

And pitchfork? Not a vestige do I see 
Of your famed look! You have no frightful glance: 
I cannot even so far flatter you 
As to say special badness makes your face 
Great and distinguished. If you’re Prince of Hell, 
How villainously have the poets lied! 

SATAN. They have lied, always, horribly, of me! 

I am not half so black as they allege. 

You know, exaggeration is to them 
What whiskey is to most men. 

Faust. I admit 

They paint a certain perfectness of evil 
Lacking in you. 

Satan. Surely today we know 

That nothing is so wholly good or bad 
As our forefathers thought: not black and white 
But gray predominates. Well, I am gray, 

Possibly. I was never black; and age 

Has made me stouter, and with gentle warmth 

Ripened my virtues; and, even though I say it, 

You will not find me a bad sort to meet. 


20 


Mr. Faust 


FAUST. Well spoken! And well met! Nicholas Satan. 
You are the most diverting visitor 
I’ve had in many a day. Come, have a drink. 

[He turns on the remaining light.] 

Bourbon or Scotch? .... 

Satan. A very little Scotch. That’s plenty, thanks. 

[ Satan drinks. Faust , observing for the first time the 
strangeness of Satan’s hands, puts down his glass 
untasted.] 

.... Did you send for me 
Only to have a drink? 

FAUST. I sent for you? 

SATAN. Did you not summon me? 

FAUST. Summon you? No. 

Satan. .... Ah, well! 

It’s my mistake; wires get crossed sometimes. 

I hope I’ve not intruded. 
faust. Not at all. 

Delighted to have met you. 
satan. I regret 

That I have bothered you. I have enjoyed 
However, your kind hospitality. 

To make amends to you, before I go, 

I should be glad to do you any service 
Within my power. 

FAUST. I thank you; but I think 

That there is nothing in your special line 
That I have need of. 

Satan. Are you really, then, 

A man contented? 

FAUST. I would hardly go 

As far as that! I only meant to say 
My needs, my troubles, are not of such kind 
As you could remedy. 

SATAN. If you would speak the 

Symptoms of your trouble, I venture to believe 
That I could aid you. Oh, I am deeply learned! 


Mr. Faust 


21 


FAUST. .... And besides, 

A most accomplished mocker! . . . My complaint 
Is quite beyond your counsel. Why, I tell you, 
Nicholas Satan, sitting in my arm-chair, 

I have examined, tried, experienced 
The passions and the aims of mortal life 
With the grave thoroughness and good intent 
That mark a doctor of philosophy 
Writing his thesis. And my careful search 
Of life has brought me one great verity: 

I do not like it! No, I do not like 
Anything in it: birth, death, all that lies 
Between — I find inadequate, incomplete, 

Offensive. So you see me sitting here, 

Instead of talking politics in the streets, 

Or flirting at the opera. For the savor’s gone 
From these, as parts of an unsavored whole. 

.... And only fools attain 

Their hope on earth — in a fools’ paradise 

That does not interest me. . . . Now, could you treat 

This case, good Mr. Satan? 

SATAN. In my day, 

I have relieved far sicker men than you, 

My dear friend Faust. And yet I would not say 

Even for a moment that your case is not 

A serious one. In such a mood 

Men sometimes have done mad and foolish things 

With consequences sad to view; they set out 

To revolutionize, rend, whirl, uproot 

The world’s foundations. And the mess they make 

Is pitiful to contemplate! Such sweet 

And beautiful souls as I have seen go wrong 

Along this path: Shelley — he had your eyes; 

And Christ — but I’ll not talk theology. 

Besides, his churches almost have made good 
His personal havoc .... 

That is not my line. 


FAUST. 


22 Mr. Faust 

SATAN. No, no, you keep your head! . . .Now let 
see .... 

A temporary sedative you require 
To bridge the dangerous moment. I suggest 
A little course that old Saint Anthony, 

Epicure though he was, would grant as rare 
And finely chosen : careless days and nights — 
Exquisite company from whom some two 
Or three, with golden or with auburn hair, 

A man of taste might choose to solace him 
In sunlight or in starlight — while the lure 
Of subtle secrets in those yielding breasts 
Spice the preceding revelries .... 

faust. Go tell 

That tale to college boys, whose lonely dreams 
Have shaped Iseult of Ireland, Helen of Troy, 

As end of heart’s desire — and, lacking these, 

Clasp chorus-Aphrodites. And I beg you 
Not needlessly to tax your mental powers 
By now suggesting the delights of drink: 

I know them; and they give me headaches. 

Satan. I mean far subtler things: I mean the play 
Of the wise soul that sees the abyss of life — 

And over that dark gulf in reckless mirth 
Dances on rainbows, with delightful arms 
And bosoms close to his. That is a mood 
That always thrills me with a sense of large 
And splendid courage. If I did not think 
That it would bore you, I should like to make 
My meaning clear by reading a few lines 
That I once wrote when I myself was in 
Your very mood — Or would you care to hear 
My little poem? 

FAUST. What! Is even the Devil 

A poet nowadays? 

SATAN. Indeed he is: 

And not a bad one; we have learned now-a-days 


Mr. Faust 


23 


That poetry, like all the other arts, 

Is pure technique; the mere ideas are nothing, 

The form is everything. That ennobles us 

And makes us artists .... With your leave, I’ll read 

My little poem called “A Watteau Melody.” 

[Safcm produces a note-book , turns over the pages , and 
at last begins to read.] 

Oh, let me take your lily hand, 

And where the secret star-beams shine 
Draw near, to see and understand 
Pierrot and Columbine. 

Around the fountains, in the dew, 

Where afternoon melts into night, 

With gracious mirth their gracious crew 
Entice the shy birds of delight .... 


Dear lady of the lily hand — 

Do then our stars so clearly shine 
That we, who do not understand, 

May mock Pierrot and Columbine? 

Beyond this garden-grove I see 
The wise, the noble, and the brave 
In ultimate futility 
Go down into the grave. 

The nations fall, the faiths decay, 
The great philosophies go by — 

And life lies bare, some bitter day, 

A charnel that affronts the sky. 

The wise, the noble, and the brave — 
They saw and solved — as we must see 
And solve — the universal grave, 

The ultimate futility .... 


24 


Mr. Faust 


Then let me take your lily hand, 

And let us tread, where star-beams shine, 

A dance; and be, and understand 
Pierrot and Columbine. 

faust. Splendid! Delightful! 

SATAN. You are flattering me. 

How did you like it, really? 

faust. Well, as art 

I think it charming; as philosophy, 

I hardly praise it. I decline to be, 

As you suggest delightfully, a fly 
On the spilled beer of life. 

satan. Those souls who take 

This attitude, however, swiftly grow 
The darlings of existence .... And yet, and yet 
Your special temperament may not prefer 
Nectar. Those lines of sternness round your mouth . 
No, this is not for you . . . Another cure 
Better befits you. ... 

Power I offer you — 

The one chief prize that all men have desired 
And shall desire forever! 

faust. Now you grow 

Rather more interesting. What do you mean? 

A crown and sceptre and a thousand slaves 
To serve me? 

SATAN. Do not jest. I offer you 

The one sole reservoir where power today 
Lies stored in sleeping cataracts. At noon 
Come with me into Wall Street; take your stand; 
Buy, sell, as I direct you; and one hour 
Shall make you richer than you ever dreamed 
In madness of desire. For three days more 
Come there each noon again; at end of these, 

If you have done my bidding, you shall be 


Mr. Faust 


25 


Master of the finances of the world. 

. . . .Such power 

I offer as would make the pulses beat 
Even of a skeleton! 

FAUST. But not a soul 

Grown sceptical of life. Power? Power? For what? 
And over what? And toward what? Not a power 
Over myself or pain or loneliness 
Or ignorance or evil ; not a strength 
To bid the near-world cease, and in its place 
Instate my visions beautiful and pale, 

Nearer the heart’s desire. No, you would give 
Power to direct the miseries of men, 

But not to stay them ... I thank you; but I think 
I should derive small sport from such a game. 

You see, I am not Satan. 

SATAN. Well, you are 

A subtle one, a shrewd one! On my word, 

What time I have been wasting! 

Mr. Faust, 1 1 put aside 
All trivialities, and frankly say 
That I can offer you one ultimate gift 
Fit even for you — a subtle paradise 
Where happiness, having fled the world, now dwells 
In shining gladness. Guarded, deep, sublime 
With lights and shadows, lies it: there have hearts 
The weariest and the greatest of mankind 
Found perfect refuge and abiding place 
For time and for eternity. To few 
Its gates are open: it I promise you, 

If you but trust me! 

FAUST, But why should I trust you? 

If history speaks true, you have deceived 

All who, since Eve, have put their trust in you. 

SATAN. — Ah, you are wholly wrong! 

I am quite honest with you, now having learned 
Your true capacity. 


26 


Mr. Faust 


FAUST. Perhaps, perhaps. 

And yet I must decline. 

Satan. You doubt me still. 

But I will prove my utter honesty, — 

I will offer you a bargain whose clear terms 
Must drive your doubts away. I am prepared 
To pledge myself to be your abject slave 
And servant for all time if you yourself 
Do not acknowledge that my paradise 
Delights you wholly ! 

FAUST. Well! That is an offer! 

SATAN. What could be fairer? You yourself shall 
judge; 

And you risk nothing. Ah, your look still doubts! 
You have in mind those libellous poets’ tales 
Of bonds inscribed in blood which I exact 
In payment, and destroy men’s souls! My friend, 
Have I yet asked you for a bond of blood? 

FAUST. Well, for the life of me, I cannot read you! 
Yet let me ask: why such an eager will 
To serve a man into whose rooms you came 
By chance tonight? .... 

SATAN. There is 

No mystery in that. I would ally 
You to myself. 

FAUST. Thanks, I decline. 

SATAN. You fail 

To understand me. 

FAUST. What, then, do you mean? 

What do you count on? Whence do you expect 
Pay for your trouble and your risk — a risk 
Not trivial, I warn you? 

SATAN. Let me make 

The matter clear to you. I know quite well 
The risk is nothing, since my paradise 
Will utterly delight you. Granting this, 

You see my profit: You will stay with me 


Mr. Faust 


27 


Willingly there forever, to my ends 
An interested assistant. And I say 
Fie for a bond scribbled in scrawly blood! 

A bond of choice is better. Could a saint 
Speak fairer to you? I risk everything, 

And you risk nothing but a little time; 

And time, as you are placed, seems not so dear 
That you need hoard it. 
faust. Are you serious? 

SATAN. My jests have other aspect. 
faust. I accept. 

Your game is to my taste. But if you fail, 

Friend Satan! — 

SATAN. I shall not fail ! . . . 

— Your friend has just returned. 

[The bell rings. Butler crosses; and opens door off 
stage. Oldham enters. He appears distraught .] 
FAUST. Oldham! .... 

OLDHAM. I beg your pardon, Faust; 

I thought you’d be alone. My brother left, 

Not waiting for me; and, as I passed by, 

I saw your lights, and thought I would look in 
Just for a moment. I had things to say 
That are perhaps much better left unsaid. 

Good-bye, my dear friend. I will not disturb you. 
Good night again. 

FAUST. Wait, Oldham; do not go. 

I have a visitor whose name you know, 

But not, perhaps, his person. Let me have 
The pleasure of presenting you. This is 
The Devil — Mr. Oldham. 

oldham. You are mad! 

What jest is this? 

SATAN. I am indeed the Devil. 

Look in my eyes intently . . . Shall I tell you 


28 


Mr. Faust 


Your thought, two minutes since? ... Or what you hold 
Clutched now against your side? ... Or where you go 
When you go hence tonight? .• . . 

oldham. No! ... I believe you . . . 

Although it is incredible! .... 

FAUST. Madness is in the air tonight . . . — you, and he, 
And I ... For I am going on a journey, 

And do not know how soon I shall return. 

If I return at all. 

oldham. A journey? Where? 

SATAN. To paradise. 

oldham. To paradise? 

satan. Come, we must haste, 

For it is very far. 

FAUST. To paradise! .... 

oldham. Take me with you! 

faust. .... My friend 

It is not possible. I do foresee 
Some perils to whose touch I would subject 
None save myself. 

oldham. And what care I for them! 

Faust — on my word, when I climbed up your stair 
This second time, it was to say good-bye 
To you forever, being quite resolved 
To end my choking loneliness and loathing 
With a quick shot tonight. Take me, or I 
Shall carry out my purpose. What care I 
Whither you go, or what the perils be? 

I would go with you into Hell! 

SATAN. We go 

To paradise. What is this Hell you name? 


CURTAIN 


29 


THE SECOND ACT 

The scene is the stone-paved courtyard of a ruined 
temple. In the centre lies a square pool, with wide rows 
of steps leading down to the water, now over- grown with 
lotus plants. Around the court rise long colonnades of 
pillars with grotesquely carven bases and capitals of 
luxuriant design. 

Faust, Satan and Oldham, all wearing white tropical 
dress and sun-helmets, sit on fragments of fallen columns 
in front of the pool. Faust is writing in his black note- 
book. 

OLDHAM. One’s blood beats fuller in these tropic lands. 
Last night, as we were dining, where the beach 
With its plumed palm-trees sloped to meet the sea, 
And the white foam along the glassy waves 
Played in the evening light — I half believe 
I could have written love-songs. But to whom — 
faust. To Midge? . . . 
oldham. You needn’t laugh 

At her or him or me. You are only jealous, 

Guessing how exquisitely pretty and shy 
She is a-nestling — and that Brander is 
A true philosopher ... At this height of day 
The glow is magical! 

FAUST. One’s brain is lit with fire 

Beneath this sun. 

SATAN. — Keep you to the shade! 

This is the pinnacle, the very noon 
Of summer in these lands. One hour of sun — 

.... Poor Oldham and poor I 
Might have a maniac or a corpse as guest. 
oldham. We have one now. What are you always 
writing 

In that black book of yours? 
faust. My soul, if you like. 

SATAN. Is it worth writing? 

faust. No. Not yet, at least. 


30 


Mr. Faust 


SATAN. I have great sympathy for literary people. 
They delve and write and delve and — 

FAUST. Whew, this blaze 

Is getting w r orse! Can’t we move on? 

SATAN. We go 

No farther. 

FAUST. Lovely residence ! 

SATAN. It is here 

That our long journey terminates, my friends. 

Upon this spot, I trust infallibly 

To give your long-tried patience recompense. 

FAUST. Recompense? I am sceptical of it! 

But we deserve this! None but idiots 
Would have come with you to this boiling land 
On a wild-goose chase .... 

SATAN. Await the event. You shall have recompense. 

OLDHAM. Satan, what is your meaning? You have been 
Through our long journey, secretive and close 
Of all your purposes. 

Satan. This is the spot 

Toward which our course unswervingly has aimed 
Since the first day. This vast and ruined shrine 
Has long been known to me. Here, in retreat 
From the world’s noises, dwells a holy man, 

The wonder-worker of a by-gone age, 

Now long forgotten by the troubled world 
Except me only. ’Tis his aged hand 
Shall open to you those celestial gates 
We come to enter. 

FAUST. Ah, a wonder-worker! 

Perhaps he will perform the mango trick, 

Or the rope-climbing? 

SATAN. Put by your idle sneers. 

He is a prophet and a saint whose like 
The world can offer not. Upon his face 
You shall behold such holiness as shall shake 
Your heart’s foundations. 


Mr. Faust 


31 


FAUST. Well, I can endure 

The meeting if he can. 

Oldham. Satan, you choose 

Sometimes strange company. You often speak 
Of friendship with such men of holiness 
As much surprises me. 

Satan. If you were but 

A little wiser, you would understand 

That I have taught them much, at various times, 

That is of profit to them. 

FAUST. Pray teach me 

A little something also. 

SATAN. No, you think 

You know too much already .... Furthermore, 

You do not trust me; and I will not teach 
One who keeps restlessly, the whole day long, 

His eyes upon me, as though fearful I 
Were waiting to spring upon him unawares! 

FAUST. Oh, you exaggerate. 

oldham. .... Look! Yonder 

Someone is coming. 

SATAN. He sees us! It is he! 

He brings a bowl for water to the spring — 

The very bowl I gave him! .... 

OLDHAM. What light, what calm, what peace! 

FAUST. He is, indeed, 

One of the ancient prophets .... 

[ Through the colonnade along the far side of the court- 
yard , there enters the Holy One , an aged man of 
venerable and sublime appearance, clad in a simple 
saffron robe. In his hand is a large copper bowl , 
which he carries with some care.\ 

SATAN. Holy One ! 

Satan salutes you! 

THE holy one. Satan — come again 

After so long? A little longer — then 
No carcass of illusion here shall wait 
To greet you. 


32 


Mr. Faust 


satan. In the greatness of the sea 

All waves find home .... 

the holy one. Yea, verily; and the deep 

Lies not far off. I am drawn nearer it 
Since last you came ... But what brings you back 
To my deserted dwelling from the press 
Where you are ever going to and fro 
Upon the earth? 

SATAN. I came to seek for you, 

Whose feet are on the path of blessedness. 

THE holy one. Ah, has illusion rent itself in twain 
For your sight also? 

satan. Ask me not. I come 

Not on my mission, but on theirs .... 

the holy one. On theirs! 

And who are your companions? 

SATAN. Friends, who seek 

What you have found. 

the holy one. They have not in their eyes 

Wholly the look of seekers. Passion lurks 
Along their lips . . . And yet, who knows, who knows? 

faust. I offer you our greetings, reverend sir. 

A long way have we come to meet with you, 

By Satan led. 

the holy one. And what would you with me? 

FAUST. Paradise! Paradise! 

the holy one. Too hotly spoken! 

Go, get you the dancers of Tan j ore .... 

Paradise ! 

oldham. You belie us, Faust. Let me 

Have speech with him. . . . 

Most Holy One, we come 
From lands far off, where, amid toil and stress 
And clamor, we have lived, till weariness 
Of all life’s gifts impelled us to go forth 
To seek if anywhere a region lay 
Where happiness still dwelt . . . 


Mr. Faust 


33 


satan. They seek the Way, the Way, most Holy One. 

the HOLY one. The Blessed Eightfold Way lies free 
to all. 

I cannot open it to them. Peace, joy, bliss, 

Supernal glory is it to those souls 
Who have put by the follies of their birth 
And sought its refuge .... 

But I can stretch no hand to grasp their hands 
And draw them toward it. 

SATAN. Yet the Holy Buddha, 

Out of his infinite wisdom, far and wide 
Taught men the Way ... . 

THE holy one. Aye, verily .... Some mood 

Of evil closed my mouth .... 

Brethren, have comfort on my frugal stones. 

Ask me all ye desire. 

SATAN. Most Holy One, 

These are my friends ; I bring them in sore need 
Unto your wisdom. 

the holy one. I would do your will 

In this, and in all other services, 

My brethren. 

Satan. Tell to them how, in your day, you came 

To that dark crossing. 

THE HOLY one. .... Of that hour 

What would you that I tell them? 

SATAN. How, that night, 

Alone in your own garden walls, beneath 

The piercing stars, you gathered up your life 

Into your hands, and looked at it, and dust 

Fell from your eyelids . . . How, that night, you saw 

Birth and desire, satiety and pain, 

Recurrent yearning that is never stilled, 

Agony, death, rebirth in other forms, 

And agony, and desire, and agony, — 

But nowhere peace. 


34 


Mr. Faust 

the holy one. Ah, I recall too well. 

It is as yesterday .... And then I wandered 
Forth from my palaces in utter pain, 

Seeing the world as dust and vanity, 

A desert of despair, a raging sea 
Of torment .... 

satan. Now why stops the Holy One? 

the holy one. It wearies me to speak, and to recall 
Those perished years . . . Give me to drink. 

oldham. He speaks 

Out of familiar deeps. 

faust. Those cloudless eyes 

Have seen what we have seen! 

THE HOLY ONE. I am refreshed .... 

Thus long ago, in my most desolate hour, 

I was refreshed by draughts from the deep springs 
Of light. Beneath a pipal tree I sat 
In lost despair; and thither to me came 
A pilgrim; read the sickness of my soul .... 

Satan. And told to you — what was that parable? 

the holy one. This is the tale he told me. You know 
it well .... 

The Buddha came to where the sea 
Curled silver-white upon the land, 

And murmurs of infinity 
Breathed on the sand. 

And on the sand a Fisher stood 
Drying his nets that late had seen 
The silent caverns of the flood 
And all the wastes between. 

Satan. And Buddha spake; “Thy nets are drawn, 

Thy boat rocks idle on the sea, 

Thy day turns westward, and is gone .... 

Come thou with me.” 

THE HOLY ONE. The Fisher marvelled: “I must toil 
With nets and shells among the caves, 

To win the sea’s unwilling spoil 
From the harsh waves.” 


Mr. Faust 


35 


Satan. And Buddha answered: “Cast no more 

Thy rets upon the troubled sea, 

Nor gather shells along the shore. 

Come thou with me. 

“No search for pearls shall blind thy thought, 
Nor waves, with clamorous harmonies. 

But in the silence where is naught 
Thou shalt behold the One that is. 

“And where the days now speed like foam 
Across thy vision, there shall be 
For thee a vast eternal home — 

An infinite Sea.” 

THE holy one. The Fisher looked on Buddha 

dumb — 

Looked deep into that tender gaze — 

Those eyes within whose depths had come 
And gone the sorrows of all days. 

He looked uncomprehendingly, 

And wearily he shook his head; 

And turned once more to drag the sea — 

Satan. Knowing not what the Buddha said . . . 

FAUST. The cup again! The Holy One is faint. 

Oldham. He speaks a miracle! .... 

THE HOLY ONE. And then I knew 

That pilgrim as a saint, whose lips revealed 
The glory of the Buddha. I beheld 
My life one poisoned network of desire 
And pain recurrent .... And I cast away 
Myself, and cried: What am I but a dream, 

A wave within the sea, a passing cloud 
Upon the radiance of eternity? 

SATAN. And so — the lust of life — ? 

THE HOLY ONE. And so the lust 

Of life passed from me; so the narrow I 
Merged in Nirvana’s infinite holy calm, 

Joy, nothingness, eternity and peace. 
oldham. Peace! . . . 


36 


Mr. Faust 


FAUST. Peace . . .Like bells from upland monasteries 
You speak the word that summons us. But where 
In peace is room for hope? 
the holy one. Let time devour 

Hope also. 

faust. And where shall I find deeps to drown 

My will, my will? 

the holy one. In that deep hidden sea 

Within thy breast. 

FAUST. And how shall life’s whole burden 

Be cast aside as nothing? 

THE HOLY ONE. For that Nothing 

Which is the One, the Infinite, the Great Deep. 
Oldham. Ah, Holy One, lead your way of peace! 

My life is as a desert, where desire 
Haunts me ceaselessly. Instruct my soul 
To follow you home to the gulfs of rest! 
the holy one. My son, thou hast spoken ; the Buddha’s 
light shall guide 

Both thee and me, poor seekers. Bide with me; 

And what I know, that shalt thou freely know, 

And my peace shall be thy peace .... 

SATAN. Faust, the gates 

Admit one form already. 

FAUST. Ah, the gates 

Are pearl and silver . . . Would that there were space 
Within them for such fevered heart as mine. 
the holy one. .... There is room for all 

Whose souls renounce the world. 
oldham. .... Faust, I feel 

That deep peace waiting; there all our pain shall end, 
There all our passions; they die; and nothingness 
Like a cool flood sweeps toward us. 

FAUST. What do you see 

In the wave, as it comes? 
oldham. The breast of peace, 

And the gates out of life! 


Mr. Faust 


37 


FAUST. I see the gates; 

I see the cool breast of the silvery flood 
Of refuge and oblivion . . . Fare you well 
Oldham, and light go with you! 
oldham. Faust, Faust, turn not back! 

FAUST. I see the light that waits you where you go; 
And my heart follows you. Go! If I could pray 
My prayers would follow you. My visions shall; 

My love shall follow you. But I cannot come 
There where you go; I cannot cast aside 
All that I surely know — this pitiful 
And shattered mortal life, with its strange gleams 
And shadows . . . Were the burden of my pain 
A single atom greater — were my soul 
A single breath more weary — I would come. 

But now I must confront my destinies, 

Still master .... 

But you I cannot counsel .... 
oldham. Me the peace 

Already laps with the waves of the flood. 

FAUST. The flood is sundering us. 
oldham. Farewell, farewell, 

Beloved friend. I with the Holy One 
Henceforth am linked; but grief shall follow me 
In what should be your footsteps. 
faust. Have no grief. 

In the vast deeps of life’s salt bitter sea 
Perhaps awaits my anodyne .... 
oldham. . . . Farewell! I go to paradise. 

satan. Faust! 

[Oldham and The Holy One move slowly away to- 
gether, pass through the colonnades , and disappear. 
Faust follows with his eyes their retreating figures.] 
SATAN. You do not know a paradise when you see it! 
Someday, when I have time, I’ll start a school 
To give instruction to great minds like you — 
Debutant! .... 


38 


Mr. Faust 


FAUST. Two men are worth a thousand devils still. 
satan. I over-rated you. Now get you gone 
Before I call the savagery that sleeps 
Here in the jungle to annihilate you 
For your unparalleled stupidity. 

FAUST. Stupidity or no, I have a word 
Still to say to you, my malicious friend: 

To heel! 

SATAN. What ! 

faust. To heel, I say! Crouch down 

And follow me, my hound and servitor 
From this hour forth! 

SATAN. You have grown very witty. 

Your wit, however, does not please me. 
faust. Please you ! 

There are few things that I desire less. 

To heel! 

SATAN. What fiends possess you? . . . Ah, I see 

You are still thinking of that wager made, 

That jest of ours. 

faust. I am still thinking of it. 

satan. You do not mean that now you wish to claim 
That forfeit seriously? 

FAUST. I mean quite that. 

Satan. What an amazing man you really are! 

For your own sake, I tried to offer you 
A splendid paradise; and now you turn 
And just because your uttermost crazy whim 
Is not quite satisfied, you revert, with sorry taste, 
To my old careless generous remarks. 

I do not think your friends at home would call it 
A sporting attitude. 

FAUST. The jungle shakes — 

Do you not hear it? — with the stifled, choked 
Laughter of leopards, elephants, hyenas, 
Rhinoceroses, apes, pythons, and tigers, 

Who hear you and are overcome with mirth .... 

I also laugh with them. 


Mr. Faust 


39 


SATAN. Magnanimous 

Your laughter sounds! True, you have beaten me, 
And I am at your mercy. And I stand 
Ready to pay. 

FAUST. Ah, at last we have 

Acknowledgment of it! Frankness is good 
Even for the Devil, Satan. 

Satan. I have been 

Frank with you always. And, if to your taste, 

I will be franker still. Your stake is won; 

You have your triumph: but does it quite fill 
The chambers of your heart? .... Ah, my friend, 

In copper you have won, but lost in gold! 

And victory will not requite for that 
Your empty treasury. 

FAUST. Not empty quite; 

You are too modest. 

SATAN. Oh, if you choose, my pledge 

Shall be fulfilled, and I will be your dog — 

Snarling a little, sometimes — snapping at 
Your friends and furniture and lady-loves — 

But yet your dog. However, I can do 
Better for you than that .... 

faust. Enough ! Enough ! 

SATAN. But hear me! You’ll admit, a feather’s weight, 
A hair’s breadth only, held you from the gates 
That Oldham entered. 

FAUST. Yes, 

I will admit that. 

Satan. Good! Now, I would make 

One final offer to you. Faust, I know 
In other regions, beneath other skies, 

One haven more, the only one of earth 
That can be judged in glory to surpass 
This paradise you entered not. And I say: 

Give me the leave, and I will lead you there. 

And if this refuge gives not all that you desire, 


40 


Mr. Faust 


My pledge shall still be valid, you still may claim 
My service as your slave .... 

FAUST. A pleasing logic; but I do not trust 
The mind behind it. 

SATAN. Trust it, or distrust — 

What matter? — when the issue is so plain! 

FAUST. Another bargain? Another hope? 

SATAN. If hope 

Is vain to urge you, let despair 
Serve in its stead. For see where now you stand: 
The mock of destiny — the man who lost 
All joys of the bright many that the world 
Cherishes! .... Though I led you on 
From paradise to paradise, and none 
Sufficed you — that were surely better sport 
Than finger -twirling ! But not thus I lead. 

For now you shall, you shall have paradise. 

FAUST. Deep in my soul, there is a sense that loathes 
Pacts with the Devil. 

Satan. Yet the world’s established powers 

Have proved themselves ignorant of paradise! 

FAUST. Where lies it? 

SATAN. Follow, and I will lead. 

faust. A long path? 

SATAN. Yes. 

faust. On! But your bondage waits you at the end. 

SATAN. Ah, jester, jester! .... Come, give me your 
hand! 


CURTAIN 


THE THIRD ACT 


41 


The scene is the nave of a great cathedral. The rows 
of many-shafted columns stretch back to where , in the 
background , rises the elaborate magnificene of the High 
Altar. 

The nave is empty; in the distance the organ sounds; 
a girl enters and kneels before the Altar. 

Satan , dressed in the dark robes of a priest , enters 
from the right. The girl, her prayer completed, moves 
into the shadows, as Faust enters and confronts Satan . 

FAUST. I care not for your masquerade attire; 

But let that pass . . . Well, I have kept your hour. 
And this perhaps is not unfitting place 
To make confession that you weary me 
A little. In this running to and fro 
Over the earth, my inclination tires 
Of your companionship. I am resolved, 

If three days’ time brings forth no new event, 

To end this, and reclaim you to obey 
My will. 

SATAN. .... If you’ll let me interrupt — 

There is a girl there who, I almost think, 

Is waiting for a chance to speak to you. 

She’s rather pretty, and she’s very shy. 

Perhaps some cast-off love of yours? 

FAUST. .... Where is she? 

Oh yes, I see ... . No, she’s no love of mine. 

I rather wish she were. 

SATAN. She looks at you, and hesitates, and turns — 

As though a little fearful to approach 
So great a person. 

FAUST. But who can she be? 

I wonder if I know her. 

She is coming. 


SATAN. 


42 


Mr. Faust 


[The girl comes from between the pillars and ap- 
proaches Faust. Satan withdraws a little as she 
approaches.] 

THE girl. I did not want to interrupt your talk; 

But, Mr. Faust, I wished so much to speak 
To you. You do not know me? 
faust. Why, it seems .... 

the girl. Of course you do not; why should you 
remember ? 

But I have seen your face so many times 
When you perhaps not noticed me at all, 

That I feel half -acquainted. Mr. Brander 
Speaks of you, too, so much that I have grown 
To think I know you. 

FAUST. Ah; yes, Brander .... 

THE GIRL. Still 

I have not told you who I am, and you 
Do not yet know me. I am Mrs. Brander. 

FAUST. What ! Mrs. Brander ! Ah, delighted . . . .yes . . . 
the girl. You had not heard that we were married? 
FAUST. No. 

Of course, I am astounded; it’s delightful — 

And most surprising. 

the girl. It was very sudden — 

While you were gone. 
faust. I see. Yes, I’m surprised 

And charmed. It’s strange, at first I could not bring 
You to my memory. 

THE girl. I don’t believe 

That you can yet! 
faust. Why .... 

THE GIRL. I don’t wonder at it. 

I used to whisk about and peer at you 
As you came in ... . 

faust. Are you then . . . then are you .... 

Midge? 

midge. Yes! exactly. 


Mr. Faust 


43 


FAUST. This is very charming. 

Now I remember perfectly, of course, 

Dear Mrs. Brander! I shall hope to see 
Brander himself tomorrow. Give him, please, 

My warmest wishes. 

midge. We shall hope to see you 

In our apartment soon. It’s very tiny 
And in a quite unfashionable street; 

But it looks out across a bit of park 
To westward, as I’ve always hoped it would. 

Some days the sunset lights are lovely there. 

You must come look at them. 

FAUST. Thank you — indeed 

I shall be very glad to! 

midge. And I know — 

How shall I say it? — that you’ll think me strange, 
And that I cannot ever be your friend 
As Mr. Brander is. I know so little — 

FAUST. Dear Mrs. Brander! 

midge. But I am so eager 

That you should give me just a little trial — 

I want so much to know you, and so much 
He should not lose you .... 

FAUST. Why, you make me feel 

Quite like a monster! 

midge. Then you’ll come? 

FAUST. I’ll come ! 

midge. I am so happy! You must talk to me 
Sometimes a little, as you used to talk 
At the men’s parties. Oh yes, I could hear 
Sometimes. It was so wonderful, what you said — 
About the things I’ve always tired my heart 
In thinking of, — life, and .... I know you know 
So much of all the things I’ve always wanted 
To learn about! 


44 


Mr. Faust 


FAUST. My dear and trusting child! 

You pay me terrible compliments ... It is true I have 
Been seeking wisdom, but I have not found it. 

And all I know is that we all must seek 
Our own authentic paths, at any cost, 

Through all temptations. — But that’s a lengthy story! 
midge. And will you tell it to me? 
faust. Perhaps, someday ! 

Or you can read it. 
midge. Read it? ... . 

faust. I am writing it all down in a book. 
midge. Oh, may I see it? Could I take it to read? 

I’d be so careful of it. 
faust. No, not yet. 

Perhaps someday. I’ll let you know someday. 
midge. Oh, I shall ask you for it when you come! 

You do not know how I am in need of it. 

FAUST. Yes .... Yes .... Unhappy eyes .... you 
have dreamed too much .... 
midge. But they were lovely dreams! 

FAUST. The more dangerous! 

midge. I am not afraid! 

FAUST. No, you are not afraid! .... 

— Who are you? 

midge. I don’t know yet .... 

faust. Nor do I ! ... . 

midge. And does it matter? 
faust. Very little .... You are 

Lost, and lovely .... Forgive me for what I say 
And for what I do not say. You are a dear child. 

I shall come to see you someday. 
midge. Come soon! Remember 

We wait for you. Goodbye. And don’t forget me. 
faust. Goodbye. I will come without the slightest fail. 

Goodbye! .... 
midge. Goodbye. 

faust. Goodbye. 


Mr. Faust 


45 


[Midge gives him her hand , and moves away smiling.] 

SATAN. [Enters.] 

Are you quite through? .... 

FAUST. Quite, thank you .... She is curiously fresh and 
sweet .... 

But I forget; you are not interested. 

What is it you would say now? 

SATAN. I have things 

Graver to speak of than admiring ladies. Here today 
Unto your doubting eyes there shall be made 
A revelation of profounder scope 
Than aught that life has brought you. 

FAUST. The hour strikes 

Tardily; I am wearier than I was 
When on this trial we entered. 

SATAN. You have looked 

Askance at me these many days, perplexed 
With my strange acts, and with the dark report 
That you have heard concerning me. Dear friend. 

Be you not angry, now I say to you 
I have deceived you: I have with doubtful mask 
In alien guises tempted you, to try 
Your metal. But the hour of trial is past; 

The event is sure; and now I open my heart 
And show to you what few of living men 
Have guessed — my final secret. 

FAUST. Play no tricks 

Before me, Satan; try no mumming game. 

If you speak truth, let riddles cloak it not. 

SATAN. Listen, and be truth’s judge. I am not such 
As men esteem me; and my spirit’s springs 
Rise not from buried and infernal realms, 

But like your own, out of the fount of God 
They have their being. I, though lowliest far, 

Yet am a servant of the House of God — 

Deputed to mine office by His hand, 

And on His mission. 


46 


Mr. Faust 


Faust. A peculiar thought! 

Satan. I speak the gospel of the living God. 

Faust. Are you not Lord of Evil? God doubtless asks 
That service of you? 

Satan. God is infinite, 

Likewise His wisdom. His omniscience wills 
That I go forth among the haunts of men 
And offer evil to their touch. Thereby, 

Some spurn me — and the force whereby they spurn 
Lifts them up nearer to His arms. Some take 
The sin I offer, fall from grace, go down — 

And lost in fathomless gulfs of wickedness, 

Cry out with utter yearning to His love 
That it may save them. But some few souls, 

Who neither spurn temptation nor repent 

After their fall — these unregenerate 

It is mine office wholly to destroy 

And cleanse the universe for the praise of God. 

Thus does all evil serve His mighty throne, 

And all return to Him. 

FAUST. I have no power 

To take the measure of the words you speak. 

Why tell me such things? 

SATAN. My beloved friend, 

Such was your trial ; thus have I tempted you 
With things averse to God, with forms and faiths 
Outcast and separate from Him. You have seen 
The whole world’s vanities; you have come to know 
That in this world’s illusion is no power 
Whose love is refuge: even the living death 
Of cold Nirvana frights you. Thus at last, 

Knowing that you are powerless, and the world 
Bare of salvation for your feebleness, 

You stand on this great threshold; and your eyes 
That see despair and loneliness shall raise 
Their sight to heaven; and peace shall fold you round; 
And God, who is our Father, shall be yours. 


Mr. Faust 


47 


FAUST. This is not truth! The ramparts of the world 
Reel round me. I have scoffed God all my days, 
Believing pain — your province of the world — 

Proof of His non-existence. And you come 
Crying His glory, testifying His faith, 

Exhorting me to seek Him! .... 

Satan. He is your hope, 

Your sole salvation in a universe 

Where never other form shall comfort you — 

A waif except for Him. So have all souls — 

The holy and the pure — from age to age 
Yearned, homesick for His home, crying: “0 God, 
support 

My helplessness; unto Thy perfect will 
Do I resign my vain and evil hopes, 

My burdens; and Thy Will Be Done Forever.” 

They seek Him: and a sudden glory fills 

The humbled bosom; all His stars and thrones 

Shine down upon it; all His majesty 

Enters that lowly door, lifts up, sustains 

The sundered soul; from His immortal light 

Reflected radiance pours; to the dark sight 

Comes glimpse of the high justice of God’s will; 

And all roads lead to Heaven, and all hearts lie 
Within His love, and all’s well with the world. 

[ Deep organ music begins to roll through the arches 
of the cathedral. Faust stands silent and lost in 
meditation. Brander enters; he passes the spot 
where Faust is standing , glances at him and stops, 
astonished. ] 

brander. You have come back! I had not heard of it. 
Where have you been these many months? I long 
To talk to you. 

FAUST. Yes, come and see me soon. 

It’s a long story .... I congratulate you 
Upon your marriage .... 
brander. Then you know .... 


48 


Mr. Faust 


FAUST. She came 

And spoke to me a little while ago. 

She is quite lovely Oh, amazingly lovely. 

brander. It must seem strange to you beyond my power 
Ever to quite unravel. 

FAUST. Do you mean .... 

BRANDER. I have changed in your long absence. 

FAUST. I do not understand. 
brander. You know my life — how vain 

It’s occupations, how absorbed I moved 
In this day’s folly and tomorrow’s lure. — 

That night we talked together — you and I 
And Oldham — in your rooms, I wandered home 
Sorely distressed. For you had stirred in me 
A gnawing doubt whether the whole of life 
Was not mere child’s play. 

FAUST. I am sorry if — 

brander. It was the kindest act man ever did 
In all my life! I peered into my heart; 

I saw that girl, whose courage was her love, 

Yielding her whole life to me with a smile; 

I saw myself Judas to innocence, 

Betraying lightly with a careless kiss 
A mortal body and immortal soul. 

That night, I walked in Hell .... 

FAUST. Poor Brander! And my mocking did all this? 
brander. Thank God for it! That night a sense of sin 
And loathing swept me. Like a burden lay 
That weight upon me, and it pressed me down 
To a despondence deep beyond all words, 

Beyond all thought. And no escape I saw 

Except the bullet 

FAUST. What a faith we pin 

Upon that bullet! 

brander. And the mad days 

Passed like a nightmare. Till, one Sabbath morn, 

As restlessly I paced, some random mood 
Led me to enter this cathedral’s doors 


Mr. Faust 


49 


At hour of service. As I knelt, with lips 
Unknown to prayer, the mighty music rolled 
Over my heart like an all-purging flood, 

And a voice chanted: “He that loveth life 
Shall lose it ; he that hateth this world’s life 
Shall keep the life eternal.” And a voice 
Shortly thereafter sang, in angel tones: 

“Come, let our feet return unto the Lord; 

For He hath torn, and He will heal us.” And 
My soul cried: “Yield thy burdens to the Lord, 

And bid His Will Be Done.” And then my soul 
Melted as in the warmth of His embrace. 

My guilt was gone like night before the sun: 

Light blinded me; an infinite love and joy 
Lifted me up, a child again, from earth 
Into such regions as my mortal speech 
Can never utter. And from that hour forth, 

God has been with me ... . Now you know my tale. 

faust. You teach me more of marvels than I guessed 
Was yet unlearned by me. 

BRANDER. No words can teach 

These marvels to a heart that has not known 
God’s glories. 

FAUST. Then this mystery of the heart 

Is what men mean when of the faith of God 
They speak; this life; this vision? 

BRANDER. Now do I walk in meadows of calm light; 

The love of God is over me; I faint 
Almost beneath its sweetness; .... 

My whole heart’s toil is how to merit it 
Even a little. 

SATAN. [ Raising his hand to bless Brander, who kneels 
before him.] 

By the grace of God 
Thou shalt be worthy servant, 0 my son. 

faust. This, then, is what God’s vision-seers behold — 
This revelation, veiled unto mine eyes — 

This love unfelt by me — 


50 


Mr. Faust 


[The music of the organ rolls forth once more ; and 
at the far end of the nave the choir takes up the 
music. Midge enters, unseen by Faust.] 

VOICES SINGING 

From the waters of Zion, 

From the fountains of peace, 

Pour the floods on whose bosom 
Thy seeking shall cease. 

Thou shalt sleep and awaken; 

On His morrow, to be 
As a star in His heavens, 

A wave in His sea. 

FAUST. With old, profound, unutterable grief 
My spirit speaks in me: as, many a time 
In childhood, at the hour of evening dusk, 

When all the room was still and shadowy, 

I, at my mother’s knee, wept out my heart 
And knew not why I wept. And I am drawn 
Out of myself upon the music’s tide, 

With nameless sorrowing, with childlike pain — 

As though in careless play-hours of the day 
I had done hurt to someone that I loved. 

Ah, I am homesick; and in all the world 
There is no knee at which I can weep out 
My loneliness. There is no breast of peace 
And silence and forgiveness for this child 
In any dusk-strewn chamber .... 

BRANDER. There is God! 

FAUST. 0 God, can Thine arms fold me? Can my 
weight 

Of loneliness and failure and despair 
’ With the day’s fruitage, find a child’s release 
In Thy great tenderness? I am a child; 

And life’s vast terrors gather round my soul; 


Mr. Faust 


51 


And I am frightened. I am weary, Lord! 

It darkens; and the storms creep on with night; 

The shadows come; the wanderer would turn home. 
[Faust falls to his knees ; he bows his head. Again 
the choir sings. Midge kneels.] 

VOICES SINGING 

To His peace shalt thou yield thee; 

In His love shalt thou sleep; 

All the rills of thy valleys 
Shall merge in His deep. 

And the vain stars of longing 
Shall fade in His sun; 

And the vain hand shall stay; 

And His Will Shall Be Done. 

Satan. Let us beside our brother kneel in prayer 
Beseeching mercy. 

[Satan and Brander kneel beside Faust.] 

BRANDER. Brother in the Lord, 

Let us together from devoted hearts 
Repeat: “Thy Will Be Done.” 

[Faust continues to kneel in silence.] 
brander. Faust, let us pray: 

“Father, we do beseech Thee for Thy light.” .... 
Satan. [Rising.] 

Brother, pray thus: “Thy Will Be Done.” .... 
[The music ceases.] 

faust. [Rising.] What will? 

[Midge and Brander rise.] 

BRANDER. Faust! 

faust. Lost is my way among eternal shadows. 
Darkened is every light. But I stand upright 
Now to the end, no traitor to that dawn 
I cannot image. 

SATAN. What do you mean? 


52 


Mr. Faust 


FAUST. Begone, 

Judas! 

[Satan slinks into the shadows.] 

Ah, Brander, would that I could yield 
Myself to Him who has received your burdens! 

But to me seems it as another sleep, 

A yielding to the blindness of some Will, 

Whose Will, we know not, nor do greatly care 
So long it be not our will .... 

Thus may yield 

The weary; I am weary, but not yet 
To such last sleep. Thus may yield the base; 

I am not base. Wherefore I still shall seek 
In life itself my refuge: not in God; 

[Turning to altar ] 

And cry: “With all its bitterness on my head, 

My Will be done, not Thy Will!” 

BRANDER. Blasphemy ! 

Ah, Faust, what madness! .... 

FAUST. I go into a darkness past your thought. 

.... My last altar lies 

Smoking in ruins; and I stand alone 

Of all the universe. But my Will be done! 

My errant tortured Will, my bitter Will, 

My Will, my Will! 

brander. Flee, ere the awful wrath 

Of God smite down these walls! .... 

Flee, ere the heavens rain forth 
Lightnings to blast us for these horrors! 
faust.. [At altar.] Nay! 

In this dark hour I lift my voice, and cry — 

My curse upon Thee, lure of dying hearts! 

May lightnings smite Thy altars back to earth! 
BRANDER. Father, forgive! He knows not what he 
does .... 

faust. I know! I know! .... 

There is no God but Satan, and he is death! 


Mr. Faust 53 

SATAN. [Emerging from the shadows , to Brander.] 

Can this thing be? and God not smite to purge 
His universe? Are there no miracles? 
brander. One is born! 

I am God’s hand! 

[He siezes a heavy crucifix from the altar , and strikes 
Faust to the ground.] 

brander. Betrayer of God and man! 

God lives! .... 

[Midge rushes to Faust and kneels beside him.] 


CURTAIN 


54 


THE FOURTH ACT 

The scene is once more Faust? s library. The moon- 
light streams through the open windows, touching the 
gold of books and the brown of furniture with an 
enamel-like brilliancy. Faust? s butler crosses at the 
back of the scene. 


BRANDER. [Off.] 

BUTLER. [Off.] 

BRANDER. [Off.] 

BUTLER. [Off.] 
brander. [Entering.] 
butler. [Entering.] 

The doctor is still here. 
If anyone may see him. 


Good evening. 

Good evening, sir. 

May I come in? 

Certainly, sir. 

And how is Mr. Faust? 

I do not know 


brander. I will wait 

A moment, and . . . Have things been bad today? 


butler. Yes, sir. 

[The doctor enters.] 

doctor, [to Butler.] Will you please — 

[Butler indicates Brander’ s presence.] 

BRANDER. How is he? 

doctor. As one might expect. 

The fever’s gone; but strength has gone with it: 

No one can tell how long his heart will stand 
The strain. 

[To Butler.] Please go to Mr. Faust. 

[Butler goes out.] 

brander. You see no hope? 

DOCTOR. I only see 

That we are doing all we can for him. 
brander. You think I should not see him? 
doctor. Oh, no harm. 

You might have seen him when you came this morning 
If you had waited. You can see him here. 

He wanted to be in this room again, 

And I make no objection. Wait here a moment. 


Mr. Faust 


55 


[The doctor goes out. Br cinder moves restlessly about 
the room. A moment later Faust is helped into the 
room by the butler and the doctor. He is clad in a 
long dressing-gown ; he is very pale. Brander re- 
mains doubtfully in the background.'] 
doctor. [Off.] Now, Mr. Faust. Slowly. 

[Entering.] Carefully now. 

[Faust sees Brander; Brander turns away.] 

Carefully at the steps here. Slowly. Slowly. 

[To Butler.] Now with me. 

Again. That chair beside the fire. Slowly. Slowly, 
[They seat Faust in his chair.] 

[To Butler.] Adjust that cushion. Now we’re all 
right. 

Comfortable? [To Butler.] Come with me. 

[The doctor and the butler go out. Brander doubt- 
fully approaches Faust.] 

brander. I have been heavy-hearted; but that thus 
I find you, overwhelms me ... . 

FAUST. Why thus sad 

Over milk so irrevocably spilled? 
brander. I cannot utter what is in my heart. 

I cannot believe it was this hand struck you down. 

It was a dream of crazy horrors .... 

[He kneels beside the chair.] 

0 Faust, Faust, forgive me! 

FAUST. Forgive you? Yes, and thank you! .... 

Now, past all doubts and wanderings, I am saved! 
brander. Saved ! 
faust. Saved! I believe! 

brander. Faust! 0 dearest friend! If it were possible l 
faust. Nay, my words 

Mean more than you interpret. I am saved — 

I have escaped from all the bondages, 

And now bow down to nothing. 

BRANDER. [/toircg.] You are sick and spent. 


56 


Mr. Faust 


I should not thus — 

FAUST. Fear not; I do not wander. 

Please ring that bell for me. 

[Brander rings. The butler enters .] 

FAUST. Bring me, please, 

That small black notebook I was writing in 
Last night until the doctor took it from me. 

You’ll find it by my bed .... 

[ Brander starts to speak , stops, and paces the room. 
The butler returns with the notebook, which he hands 
to Faust. The butler goes out.] 

FAUST. Here is my soul — the all I have to give 

To those I love so much .... Thou who seemest near, 
Oh unborn man, whose soul is of my soul, 

Thou, too, shalt fight with Satan, as I fought, 

Fight, in eternal battles, with him who seeks 
To lure the soul toward darkness and toward sleep. 
But vain his victories; slowly there is born 
Light from the darkness, Faust’s from Satan’s soul. 
This is my faith; this is my happiness; 

This is my hope of heaven; this is my God. 
brander. The eternal God in heaven forgive you this! 
FAUST. The Devil I can foil, but not my friends! 
brander. [Kneeling beside Faust.] 

Faust! Faust! Turn back before the hour has struck! 
Sink your vain pride of spirit — kneel to God, 

Beseech His mercy before it is too late! 

FAUST. I am no melancholy death-bed scene 
To claim your tears, dear Brander .... 

But if I die, then go I singing down, 

Not praying or repentant. 

brander. [Rising.] Through last night’s long hours, 
Poor Midge, alone and comfortless, wept out 
Her heart. 

FAUST. Midge? 

BRANDER. Yes, she had heard your words 

In the cathedral. 


Mr. Faust 


57 


faust. Midge! 

BRANDER. Yes, she was there. 

And she grew mad with your wild impious dream, 
And cried you were a prophet and a light, 

And when I tried to calm her, she turned from me 
And cried: “Go, go! . . . 

I am lost where none can help me; all my dreams 
Shudder and perish, even as he has perished; 

Yet they shall live again — but he will die!” . . . 
Thus darkness falls from you upon men’s hearts. 

I know not if God’s deep forgiving love 
To such as you is granted. . . . 
faust. Midge could tell 

A truer tale. 

BRANDER. She wept her heart out. 

FAUST. . . . And shall I then regret? 

Is her soul yours, that you appraise and know? 
Midge understands! .... 

Tell her from me that I have not forgotten 
My promise in the church that I would come. 

But if I come not, let her come to me! 
brander. Terrible teacher, what can you give to her? 
FAUST. All that the hunger of her heart desires, 

And it shall haunt her down her mortal days. 

brander. I love you, and I pity you — and I go. . . . 
FAUST. We shall not meet again. 

[Brander goes out .] 

He will go down 

Not singing, no, not singing! .... 

And now, when from my shoulders like a load 
Begins to slip the weariness of life, 

And a new vigor fills me — now it seems 
That death is hovering close. 0 Grisly One, 

Whom once I thought a not unwelcome guest 
To my cold troubled house, I am not glad 
To hear thy steps without. For in my halls 


58 


Mr. Faust 


Lights kindle, and the music sobs and sings 
In ecstacy of other guests than thee. . . . 

[Satan enters slowly, and is met by the butler, who 
starts bach and pauses paralyzed for a moment, then 
turns and comes down to Faust.] 

butler. There is a — a man waiting to see you, sir. 
faust. Let him come in. 

BUTLER. I beg your pardon, sir — 

Can I do nothing for you? 

FAUST*. Thank you, nothing. 

[The butler goes out again. Satan is dressed in a long 
black cloak of foreign cut; for the first time, he has 
the look of sinister majesty appropriate to the Prince 
of Hell.] 

Satan. Master, your slave is here! .... 

FAUST. Peace from your childish talk. The game is 
done. 

I would not, for all treasure in the world, 

Have such a one as servant, who can serve 
No end that I desire. 

Satan. Aha! At last 

Light penetrates that cobwebbed cranium, 

And I can laugh in public! All these months, 

I several times have come perilously near 
Bursting with mirth at the rare spectacle. 

FAUST. Pray you, laugh freely. 

Satan. Nay, my mirth is spent. 

My heart is moved even toward an enemy, 

When on his head defeat its torrent pours. 

I offer you my sympathy. 
faust. My thanks 

Are in appropriate measure tendered you. 

SATAN. Distrust me not, for now the game is done — 
Why should we quarrel further? 

FAUST. Why, indeed? 

SATAN. I hear you are still working on that book 


Mr. Faust 


59 


Recounting your adventures with the Devil. 

I hope ’tis finished: it had better be! 

You will not write large libraries, my friend, 

In what of life remains to you. 

FAUST. It is 

Completed. 

satan. May I look at it? 

FAUST. You may not. 

Satan. Ah, ’tis a surprise for me! 

FAUST. Possibly. 

SATAN. Well, you work late into dusk. 

Dusk falls about you; soon the night will come, 

And silence . ... [The room begins to darken slowly.] 
Has an oracle in your heart 
Whispered the tidings of that night? Or have 
The pages of the prophets told to you 
What waits within that darkness? 

FAUST. There waits sleep. 

But I have lived, and do not fear life’s last 
Inevitable word. 

SATAN. My lips are sealed: 

Though I would fain prepare you for that first 
And awful moment when, beyond death’s gates, 

You see and know — for now you do not know — 

What there awaits you. You have seen the grave; 
You know the dissolution and decay 
That folds the body as it mouldering lies 
After the racking of those final hours 
Where soul and body part. But have you guessed 
That — as the body rots without the soul — 

So the soul crumbles in a vile decay 
You cannot picture, when the body dies? 

Then falls the spirit limb from reeking limb. 

An agony beyond all mortal thought 
Shakes every atom of the spiritual frame — 

The throes of dissolution. Death, indeed, 


60 


Mr. Faust 


All men can bear; but this last spiritual death, 

This torture of the disembodied soul 
To force dissolving — ah, prepare yourself! 

It shall appall you! 

[By this time the room is entirely dark, save for a 
faint red glow from the fire on the face and hands 
of Faust and Satan.] 

FAUST. If it comes, it comes. 

SATAN. We have been foes; but now I speak as friend. 
This shall not come to you! Tis in my power 
To save you from this uttermost horror’s grasp. 

For I have gift of perfect dreamless sleep; 

And those to whom I give shall after death 
Slumber unconscious while the awful change 
Attacks them; and oblivion shall be theirs. 

FAUST. That were a boon not easily despised. 

SATAN. It shall be yours! My crushed and broken foe 
Shall never at my hand lack final rest 
Where nightmares cannot come. As honest foes 
We shall be quit. And for this priceless gift 
I ask but that you give me, as remembrance, 

That book which you have wrought concerning me. 
faust. Why still so eager? 

satan. Eager? I am not. 

FAUST. Satan, my soul still sees, 

[Gradually the light begins to return.] 
though death has drawn 
Its curtains round my body. You have sought 
With long endeavor to enslave my will 
To nothingness; now you would doom to dark 
My written soul: 

[Opens the notebook.] This, Satan, is your answer — 
[He writes on the last sheet of the manuscript.] 

With this last word I close my testament: 

“Man, work thy will, and God shall come of thee.” 


Mr. Faust 


61 


SATAN. Poor thwarted fool, who would not take my 
lures, 

Being far too wise! Yet dustward now he turns, 

And where Faust stood shall nothingness survive. 
FAUST. Approach me not: I have grown sanctified. 
Satan. Dreamer, whose dreams shall soon be choked 
with dust! 

FAUST. [ Slowly lifting in his chair.] 

I am that dreamer to whose mounting dreams 
No bounds are set, no region which my will 
May not reach out toward. And I will create — 

I, and the souls that after me shall come — 

By passion of desire a pillar of flame 
Above the wastes of life. If no God be, 

I will from my deep soul create a God 
Into the universe to fight for me! 

[He sinks back.] 

SATAN. How strong a master! Why not slay me now? 

Put forth your strength, and try how great it is! 
FAUST. Though dying, I am master. But you still 
Are jester, even at death-beds — knowing well 
I have no power to slay you. You retreat 
But perish not; the sphere of your domain 
Contracts, but it endures immortally. 

Have done with jesting: look me in the eyes! 
Acknowledge me, and all high heritors 
Who shall succeed me, your eternal foe, 

Your eternal victor in half -victories — 

But never your destroyer to the end. 

SATAN. I thank all prophets for their prophecy! 

But I shall still remain? .... 

FAUST. You shall remain . . . 

SATAN. I shall remain! .... 

[ Faust and Satan sit silent. Faust closes his eyes , then 
suddenly, with a sobbing gasp, raises himself in his 
chair.] 


62 


Mr. Faust 


FAUST. Ah, what a ghastly dream! 

I have dreamed dark dreams — one very dark of late — * 

But that is past .... 

Now, in the cities, on the hills of the world, 

I shall uplift the banner of high wars — 

I shall live — and Death retreats from me afraid! 

[He collapses .] 

SATAN. You shall die. 

FAUST. Spare your pains. 

Satan. I lift no finger. 

FAUST. The tide of strength recedes, swift as it came . . . 

Oldham! I cannot die! I cannot die! 

And I am dying .... 

[Faust sinks back with closed eyes. Satan suddenly 
screams with laughter. The laughter is interrupted 
by the entrance of Midge, who carries an armful of 
flowers. She looks steadily at Satan, who retreats 
a little; then she crosses the room to Faust's side . 
She stands motionless, then drops the flowers and 
kneels with her head on Faust's lap. Slowly she 
lifts her head, and looks at Faust's immobile face.] 
SATAN. [After a pause.] Madam, you come too late. 

[Faust opens his eyes — and, lifting the manuscript , 
with feeble hands holds it out to her.] 

FAUST. No, not too late .... 

[Midge, shaken and faltering, clasps the book to her.] 
FAUST. Touch me across the dusk .... 

[He dies. She slowly lifts her hand and touches his 
cheek; then drops her head. Satan approaches . 
She raises her head and looks at Satan. He retreats 
before her look, as the lights fade out, leaving the 
glow of the firelight on Faust's dead face.] 


CURTAIN 


ALL PLAYS 

Produced by the Provincetown 
Players are on sale at 

FRANK SHAY’S BOOKSHOP 

Four Christopher Street 

NEW YORK CITY 





















